VALENTINE, Neb. - You’ll soon be able to watch Cherry County Board of Commissioners meetings from the comfort of your home. On Tuesday, commissioners voted to begin recording meetings starting July 8.

The decision came after comments from the public that the meetings, which are held during work hours on Tuesdays, have to be more accessible to taxpayers.

“For some people who have to drive a long ways to come to town, this would also be an option for them,” said Commission Chair Mike McConaughey.

Cherry County spans more than 6,000 square miles, making it the largest county in Nebraska—so accessibility is a major concern. To address it, the commission approved the purchase of a portable Meeting Owl 3 camera system for $1,049. Recordings will be available for public viewing for 120 days at no cost.

Emergency Manager Jessica Coyle, who was tasked with researching the proposal, said residents will be able to access the videos via Microsoft Teams using a publicly shared meeting code and password. While commissioners will be able to see how many people watch, individual viewers will remain anonymous. The format is strictly one-way: viewers will not be able to comment or interact.

The videos will not be posted to platforms like YouTube or Facebook—something Commissioner Nina Nelson firmly opposed and Commissioner Martin DeNaeyer supported.

“Our county needs to know what’s going on, but it is not something that needs to be broadcast to the entire world. We have serious, sensitive business,” said Nelson. “If we cross a line, it loses a certain sense of professionalism and goes to a horse-and-pony show.”